Dhaka’s bus drivers to be put on payroll

In a major move to curb street accidents in city, Dhaka’s bus owners have decided to scrap the contractual agreement with drivers and include them on a monthly payroll.

Dhaka Road Transport Owners' Association (DRTOA) drew up the major decision today, what is seen as a big move to curb competition among buses within Dhaka city.

The move comes following eight days of fierce student protests demanding safer roads after two college students fell victim to reckless driving in the capital on July 29.

Khondaker Enayet Ullah, secretary general of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, said at a press briefing, the previous contractual agreement prompted unhealthy competition among bus drivers to earn more money in order for a financial gain.

In a contractual agreement, the bus drivers have to submit a fixed amount of money to the transport owners and take whatever is earned beyond the limit. Hence, they have been caught competing for passengers and causing casualties.

From now, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) will be taking legal action against any bus operator continuing to run on contractual basis, Enayet Ullah said.

Also, bus owners and employees of Sayedabad and Mohakhali bus terminals will be ensuring that no vehicles are allowed to ply on the roads without valid documents, he said.

The owners have also expressed solidarity with the recently announced Road Transport Act.

Dhaka’s unruly buses, as well as others across the country, have been on the headlines for most of the past three months for causing the untimely deaths of several people – owing to reckless driving that has drawn severe criticism and protests.